Car-axle



(No Model.)

W. F. SHERMAN.

GAR AXLE.

& Patented'June 3 "m: "cams Perms cu, Pmnwumm, WASNINUYON, n. c.

* UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

WILLIAM F. SHERMAN, OF LOIVELL, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES S. BATES, OF BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS.

CAR-AXLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 429,325, dated June 3, 1890.

Application filed December 23, 1889- Serial No. 334,773 (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM F. SHERMAN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Lowell, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Axles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple construction of divided axle for use in the trucks of cars, whether propelled by steam, electricity, or other motive power, whereby I am enabled, without materially increasing the cost, to reduce the friction, so difficult to contend with in going around curves, to a minimum, and to entirely obviate the danger of the cars leaving the track at point-s where curves occur and differences in the relative height of the tracks.

My invention consists, primarily, of a divided axle of approximately uniform diameter throughout, the abutting ends of the two parts being strengthened and kept in the same horizontal plane by a dowel fitting sockets or recesses in the end of each part, with means for connecting the parts against longitudinal displacement, while at the same time permitting free and independent rotary movement of each part of the axle.

The invention further consists of a divided axle-sleeve splined to each part, the said sleeves overlapping, securing means for preventing separating movement of the sleeves, each of said sleeves having free rotary movement with the part of the axle towhich it is secured independent of the other, and antifriction bearings between the sleeves.

The invention further consists of a divided axle, a dowel fitting sockets in the abutting ends thereof, a collar secured to the periphery of each division-of the axle, forming practically'a bead or flange on the end thereof, and securing-sleeves secured to the parts of the axle and recessed to receive the collars, with means for holding the sleeves together, where by the said collars prevent. separating movement of the parts of the axle.

The invention finally consists in the twopart axle, the dowel for keeping the parts in a horizontal plane, the sleeves with means for holding them together, the-collars engaging the sleeves and preventing separating movement, and the two sets of anti-friction balls or rollers between the sleeves.

Finally the invention consists in the de tails of construction. 1

In the accompanying drawings, in which I have illustrated my invention in the form best known to me, Figure 1 represents in section the inner ends of the axle-sections, with the means for holding the parts together. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the axle and the left-hand sleeve of Fig. 1, the anti-friction balls being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a plan view of an axle and pair of wheels on I a section of curved railways. I

In the figures I have shown my invention as applied to the axle of an ordinary set of flanged car-wheels; but it will of course be understood that I do not limit myself in this connection and may apply the invention to any form of axle used or adapted to be used with any of the well-known forms of wheels. The two divisions of the axle (one indicated at a and b) and the abutting ends are formed with recesses or sockets adapted to receive a cylindrical dowel f, which is of such length relatively to the extent of the sockets as to allow the ends of the parts a b to abut 8o squarely. This dowel strengthens the divided parts on the line of division and tends to make practically a continuous axle without interfering with the independent rotation of each part.

Around the end of each part a b, I place an annular collar 9 h, secured to the parts of the axle by screws, as shown, or in any suitable manner, the adjoining faces of these collars being flush with the ends of the axle-divisions. These collars are removable for the purpose hereinafter described, and they form beads or flanges on the ends of the divisions to prevent any longitudinal displacement of the sections by reason of the sleeves A B, which fit the parts of the axle snugly and are recessed to receive the collars, which, as shown, project above the periphery of the divisions of the axle. Each sleeve is splined or otherwise secured to one of the parts of the axle, so as to move with its respective part, and as the dowel is not connected to either part it will be seen that each part is independent of the other and may rotate at different degrees of speed, as in passing around curves, thus preventing strain upon the parts of the truck so used by the undue friction. The two sleeves are formed male and female, the sleeve A fitting within the recessed face of the sleeve B, and in order to bridge the line of junction of the axle-divisions I extend an annular rib i into a corresponding depression in the sleeve P, and between the opposing faces place a series of anti-friction balls or rollers e, these faces being suitably grooved.

In order to hold the two sleeves together without interfering with their independentrotary movement, I employ an annular ring 0, which is fitted to. an annular recess formed partly in the sleeveB and partly in the sleeve A, as shown, andbetween this ring 0 and the rear wall of the recess formed by a portion of the sleeve A, I place a series of anti-friction rollers cl. Bolts 0 pass through the outer flange of the sleeve 13 and the upper half of the ring 0, and as the lower half of this ring overlaps the sleeve A the parts are 'thusheld securely together, but without friction, and allowed independent rotation without any undue strain in any direction, this being equalized by the construction described.

The collars are removably secured to the ends of the divided portion of the axle, in order that the sleeves may be slipped on first and the collars applied afterward.

I claim as my invention- 1. A divided axle having a removable collar secured to the inner end of each part, a sleeve secured to each part of the axle, and means for securing the sleeves against separating movement.

2. A divided axle, a sleeve secured to each part, one sleeve fitting the recessed. face of the anti-friction bearings in said channel, and

means for securing the sleeves against separating movement.

6. A divided axle, collars on the inner ends of the axle, sleeves secured to each part of the axle having an annular channel, anti-friction hearings in said channels, and means for securingthe sleeves against separating movement.

7. In combination with a divided axle 0011- neeted by a soeket-andflowel connection, a sleeve on each end of the axle having grooves in their opposite faces, bearings in said grooves, and means for securing the sleeves together.

8. In combination with a divided axle connected by a dowel, a collar on each part of the axle, a sleeve surrounding each collar, bean ings between the sleeves, and means for conneeting the sleeves.

In testimonywhereof I affix my. signature in presence of two witnesses.

IVILLIAM F. SI'IERMAN.

\Vitnesses:

DANIEL J. MANNING, HENRY J. MoULroN. 

